I am aware of two versions of streamlined Hudsons introduced by the NYC. The first was the Dreyfuss design for the 20th Century Limited introduced in the late 1930s. The other was for the streamlined Empire State Express, a similar streamline design but more compatible with the fluted stainless steel cars of the Empire State Express. Ironically, this train made its maiden trip on December 7, 1941. My reference books tells me the streamlining metals for these two engines fell victim to WWII demands for scrap metal. What my reference books don’t tell me is how long either of these streamlined Hudsons survived before they were stripped of their streamlining features. Did any of them last beyond the end of WWII or were they all war casualties?
John,
According to Steam Power of the New York Central System, Volume 1 - Modern Power - 1915-1955 by Alvin F. Staufer, it says on pg. 115 that “all streamlining was removed around 1948”. The book is no longer in print. I picked mine up online - either eBay or Amazon.com. It’s been an invaluable resource for NYC history and locomotive pictures.
Tom
The Hudsons as a class kept operating until the end of steam on the NYC, but were bumped from top end trains by the 27 Niagara class 4-8-4s. NYC’s other big passenger power were the L3 type of their Mowhawk class 4-8-2s. Of all of these, only a single L3a Mowhawk survives.
Cheers!
~METRO
You have overlooked one other Mohawk. Two Mohawks are still preserved, but the other one I believe is an L2 at the Nation Transportation Museum at St. Louis. The only reason the newer one exists is it was used as a T&P stand in for thirty years in Texas before it was returned back to NYC land. The one in St. Louis has been there for years.
Cheers
And, the L-4s were also used in dual (vs. duel) service. Am I correct that only a couple of L-3s were used in both services?
The National NYC Railway Museum in Elkhart, IN has the #3001 L-3 sitting outside.
Tom
I have Stauffers “Thoroughbreds” book on the history of specifically the NYC Hudsons, another good source of info. IIRC the Hudsons lasted into the early-mid fifties before all being scrapped, maybe 1955 give or take a year??